Syracuse, N.Y. -- Syracuse and other Upstate New York cities have some of the lowest levels of health care spending in the nation, according to a new report.

The report by the Institute of Medicine shows Syracuse has the 19th lowest rate of Medicare spending per beneficiary among 306 U.S. markets surveyed. Rochester had the lowest rate of spending in the nation, while Buffalo had the fourth lowest rate.

The report shows Medicare spending per beneficiary in Rochester is $174 lower than the median amount spent across all 306 markets. Syracuse spent $131 less than the median. Binghamton and Elmira had the 25th and 26th lowest rates of Medicare spending respectively.

"The IOM report confirms that consumers in upstate New York get great value for their health care dollars," Christopher Booth, CEO of Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, said in a prepared statement.

The report examined regional differences in health care spending, utilization and quality. The report also explored whether certain payment methods should be changed to address the regional variations across the country.